Mansfield 2-3 Exeter: Match Report

17 January 2015 18:01
Mansfield 2-3 Exeter: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.


Exeter edge out Stags

Exeter ended their three-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory in a see-saw encounter at Mansfield.

The Stags, who could have hit double figures on another day, were 1-0 down at the break but bagged two goals in 11 minutes in the second half to lead. However, they conceded again before throwing the game away as Martin Riley's terrible back-pass gifted Exeter a penalty winner.

Mansfield created several scoring chances. Arron Davies blocked a Riley header on the line after eight minutes before Vadaine Oliver headed against a post and Billy Kee's follow-up was cleared off the line.

Just before half-time James Hamon superbly saved a Michael Raynes header from a corner and again Kee saw his follow-up blocked on the line.

But Exeter, having survived the pressure, enjoyed their best spell around the half-hour mark. Home goalkeeper Adam Smith had to deny Davies with his legs and Scot Bennett failed to put away a free header from a 36th-minute corner.

However, the breakthrough came a minute later as Davies crossed from the right and Tom Nichols guided home a header from six yards.

Mansfield piled the pressure on after the break and Oliver had a header cleared off the line before the equaliser finally came after 57 minutes as Kee headed home from a Chris Clements corner.

Exeter were now wobbling and 11 minutes of pressure later, Kee touched on a lofted Raynes ball and Oliver smashed home a low finish from eight yards.

But City were not finished and, after Smith had made a great save to deny David Wheeler on the break, Bennett was left unmarked to turn home a low corner at the near post.

The visitors went ahead six minutes from time after Smith had brought down Wheeler in trying to reach Riley's suicidal back-pass, and Nichols netted from the penalty spot.


Source: PA